HOMEMADE HOT CROSS BUNS

HOMEMADE HOT CROSS BUNS

Whether your family celebrates Easter as a holy time of year or simply as a long weekend, it is guaranteed to be about delicious food! Instead of guilt-tripping yourself after snacking on a few sugar-coated, gluten filled, shop-bought hot cross buns this weekend, why not bring the whole family together and enjoy baking some of your own?

WHY HOT CROSS BUNS?
Although traditionally ‘Easter foods’ vary around the world, one of the commonly enjoyed Good Friday treats are hot cross buns. Despite the symbolism of the cross in traditional Easter celebration, the now commercialised treat comes in a variety of indulgent versions, shapes and sizes.

Method:
The dough
1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl: flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda and raisin-sultana mix.
2. Mix the milk, honey, coconut oil, lemon juice, vanilla extract, orange zest and one egg in another large bowl until fluffy.
3. Fold liquid mix into the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until combined – a sticky dough will form.
4. Place dough on a clean, floured surface and divide into 10 equal pieces. Be sure to spread flour on your hands to avoid the dough sticking.
5. Place the pieces on a baking tray lined with grease-proof paper.
6. Brush the tops of each of the buns with one well-whisked egg, using a pastry brush.
The icing
1. Melt 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and mix in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to form a paste.
2. Spoon this icing mix into a piping bag and pipe the crosses onto the top of each bun.
3. Place the tray into the oven (preheated to 180˚ C) and bake the buns for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.